Chapter 333

The crisp morning air carried whispers through the Kensington estate's manicured gardens.

"Esteemed guest? People don't visit the Kensingtons unless they want something." A guard scoffed under his breath. "Who could possibly outrank the Kensingtons themselves?"

His companion leaned closer, voice dropping to a hushed tone. "This one does. Rumor has it he controls both daylight and shadow empires. That massive black market in Valtierra? His playground. Enterprises spanning continents answer to him. His true identity? A ghost story even among the elite. Only emerged from the shadows recently. They call him Mr. Black."

The head guard straightened his tie. "Then we treat him like royalty. Double the patrols. No disturbances reach his ears. Understood?"

Hidden behind a marble fountain, Olivia Sinclair pressed a hand to her throbbing leg. Her escape attempt had nearly succeeded. Almost.

The guards' footsteps faded down the cobblestone path.

Olivia emerged, wincing as weight settled on her injured limb. Each step sent white-hot pain shooting through her nerves. The estate gate shimmered in the distance - so close yet impossibly far.

A shout shattered the morning calm.

"Intruder at the east perimeter!"

"It's Olivia Sinclair! Don't let her reach the gate!"

Olivia's vision swam. Her body moved through molasses while her pursuers closed in like wolves. They formed a tightening circle around her.

The guards parted as Celeste Dumont approached. The assistant's cold gaze raked over Olivia's bleeding leg. "Window jump? How dramatic." Her lips curled. "Though you've saved us the trouble. The order was clear - attempted escape means broken legs."

Olivia's jaw clenched. "Frame me all you want. But Isabelle? She's innocent. When Donovan and Reginald Kensington return-"

Celeste's laughter cut through like shattered glass. "They'll applaud our actions. After your daughter tampered with Miss Kensington's medical equipment during recovery? She's vegetative now. This mess is yours to clean up." She leaned closer. "Margaret Kensington has your child. Cooperate, or Isabelle suffers."

Olivia's world narrowed to tunnel vision. "Take me instead! She's just a child, for God's sake!"

"Take you?" Celeste arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "You were always the problem. Your daughter will pay first. Your turn comes later."

Images flashed behind Olivia's eyes - Isabelle's frightened face, small hands reaching for her mother. How had it come to this? She'd never wanted their wealth, their power. Just to live quietly. And now they'd drag an innocent child into their twisted games?

"Give her back!" Olivia's voice tore from her throat as she lunged forward.